RAJSHAHI – In a first for the country, the government has declared two wetlands in Rajshahi district as ‘wetland-dependent wildlife sanctuaries’. These two water bodies are located in Tanore and Godagari upazilas of Rajshahi.
The declaration was made through two separate gazette notifications issued on Wednesday by the Forest Branch-2 of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The declaration will be effective in accordance with the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.
The two sanctuaries are a 1.65-acre wetland in Biljoyana Mouza of Tanore upazila and a 15.08-acre wetland in Bilbhala Mouza of Godagari upazila in Rajshahi.
Jahangir Kabir, a wildlife inspector from the Rajshahi Wildlife and Nature Conservation Division, stated that Biljoyana and Bilbhala are significant winter havens for both native and migratory birds. These wetlands are home to native waterbirds like the Watercock, White-breasted Waterhen, Moorhen, Lesser Whistling Duck, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, and Comb Duck, as well as various migratory ducks including the Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Garganey, and Common Pochard. Besides over a hundred bird species, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals also inhabit these wetlands.
Forest department sources indicate that the biodiversity of these wetlands is currently under threat due to population growth and human-induced pressures. The declaration as sanctuaries will now ensure a safe habitat for birds and wildlife in these areas. Simultaneously, it will become an important biodiversity learning site for students, researchers, and nature enthusiasts.
